Bubble Pavilion (Student Design 2016)

05 Feb 2018

Image Credit: Xue Ying Zhang

Architectural Credit: Concept by Xue Ying Zhang

In this post of our Winter blOAAg series, “Temporary Architecture: Pavilions, Structures and Follies,” we take a look at a student-design project of a pavilion to commemorate the victims of the November 2015 Paris attacks.

From the Designer

Type: Pavilion- Concept

Location: Paris, France

The pavilion is in memory of the November 2015 Paris attacks. Its concept is based on the contradiction between peace and terrorism. Sentimentally, peace is soft, pure and complete, while terrorism is harsh, dangerous and broken. In the project, a bubble and trusses, respectively symbolizing peace and terrorism, are gathered. The bubble is pushed by those trusses, reminding people of the harsh reality. Nevertheless, the bright, soft and pure bubble still strongly reminds people of hope and tolerance. World citizens may sometimes experience terrorism, but still have deep faith that justice lasts.

The project is on the axis of Champ de Mars, directly facing the Eiffel Tower. Visitors arrive at an exhibition space on the second floor through a tunnel in the bubble made of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) plastic. They then go down into the bubble through an exhibition gallery on the first floor. The material could create soft light for exhibition and meditation. The project creates a memorial space, as well as a meaningful city landscape.